Citizens ride along with cops

November 17, 2007

Albany-- You could call them citizen cops. A small group of Albany citizens rode shotgun with police officers Saturday.

It's all part of the Albany Police Department's Citizens Academy. On Saturday, participants who are enrolled in the academy had a chance to ride along with a cop. Police say it gives them a chance to see what they see on Albany streets. Jerome Lowery was excited for the chance.

"First of all I learned exactly what the officer goes through on a daily basis, what it takes to become a police officer and how stressful the job is," said Lowery.

"It also builds a much better communication with them and lets them see what we see out there on the streets," said Lt. Tracey Barnes with Albany Police.

Albany Police's Citizens Academy is a 12-week program. This is the 18th session of the Citizens Academy.